Name: Stage Dreams
ISBN: 9781541564961

Melanie Gillman

In this rollicking queer western adventure, acclaimed cartoonist Melanie Gillman (Stonewall Award Honor Book As the Crow Flies) puts readers in the saddle alongside Flor and Grace, a Latinx outlaw and a trans runaway, as they team up to thwart a Confederate plot in the New Mexico Territory. When Flor—also known as the notorious Ghost Hawk—robs the stagecoach that Grace has used to escape her Georgia home, the first thing on her mind is ransom. But when the two get to talking about Flor's plan to crash a Confederate gala and steal some crucial documents, Grace convinces Flor to let her join the heist.

Stage Dreams

Mahogany Skillings

Stage Dreams takes a few marginalized histories and puts them on display at the same time that it tells you a quick heist setup, and it does both of these well. When then story ended I missed each main character and some of the side ones as well. The art style is visually pleasing and goes well with the time frame of the story. This is a quick graphic novel that you wont want to miss a chance with.

Sahi K

I read a few reviews for this graphic novel across the blogosphere and was interested in it, especially because I’m always on the lookout for new discoveries. And I don’t think I’ve ever read a western, so I decided to give it a try.

As it’s just 100 pages long, I didn’t expect a lot of plot or character development, just something fun - and it totally delivered on that aspect. Grace is a trans southern belle running from her family because she doesn’t wanna fight in the war and has dreams of her own, while Flor is the stylish queer Latinx outlaw who robs stagecoaches and wants to save money for a secure future. Though Flor kidnaps Grace, they eventually settle on a plan to work together and what follows is a cute adventure of their own where they discover some truths about themselves and develop feelings in the process. This story is hella cute and sweet, and so full of acceptance that it made me very happy. The art style is also very unique, and while I didn’t know anything about how colored pencil art would work for a graphic novel, it’s perfect here. The color palette and style feel very appropriate for the dry New Mexico setting, while also giving out a cutesy vibe. And I especially loved the cotillion gowns. 

Finally, I just wanna say that if you love westerns or queer graphic novels, you should definitely check this one out because it’ll leave you with a big smile on your face. Just go into it without any expectations and ready to have a rollicking time.

Samantha

Copy received from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I'm not sure what I was expecting from this graphic novel but it was everything I wanted and more.
Badass women? ✔
Queer? ✔
Western? ✔
Okay, that last one wasn't something I knew I needed but I'm not complaining.

I don't usually love graphic novels just because they're so short and I don't get enough out of them but this was a hundred pages of wild western goodness with a trans woman main character and a POC woman main character and it was just too cute.
Can I get a sequel plz and ty?

Super cute, a little wonky writing in the middle. The tailor scene is what really threw me off, I guess. Either that he was totally accepting of the trans character or he didn't know, and then suddenly turned into a mentor when it felt like there wasn't enough time spent for that. I don't know if it is just my lack of experience reading graphic novels, but the pacing was so fast. I could hsve done with like 20 more pages, maybe, and that would have been good to give it a little more depth.

But still, a fun western read that doesn't completely throw women into the stereotypes or limitations of the time. Definitely a cool idea for an outlaw.

Kayla

Anna Agarwal

samantha brandon

Rosie Qua

Katy B

In 1861, Grace, a runaway, and Flor, a stagecoach robber, join forces to thwart a plan by the Confederate Army in the New Mexico Territory.